Advent brings us closer to Christ, who is always with us. God reminds us that no one is too far away for his love.
We are happy to wait for the Lord, who is the world's only hope.
We are called to reach out to our brothers and sisters in need with love and share our hope for a better world.
You don't want Advent to be just another thing you do every year without knowing why.
Lord God, we worship you because you have visited us before. You spoke to us in the language of the Law of Israel. You have put us to the test with words from the prophets. You have shown us who you are through Jesus.
We worship you, Lord God, because you still talk to us. You come to us through the love and care that other people have for us. Men and women who need our help bring you to us. You come to us as your people worship you.
We worship you, Lord God, because you will come to us in the end. You will be there with us when we die. Even when all human institutions fail, you will still be in charge. Even when our historyis over, you will still be God. We're glad you're here, God. Come to us now through the power of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Come Lord, your wounded world is yearning for you to come again. Come Lord, your weary world is crying out for you to lift us up out of our despair, our hunger, our thirst for something better, our need for the food that will last. Come Lord, come again, we need to begin again.
A lit big and small white candles beside a wreath God of hope, we cling to you, for your renew the face of the earth.
Through the gift of your Son, our Lord Jesus, we follow you on the path of dawn.
Enlightened by your love and wisdom, help us to lead each other and all creatures back to your open arms. Amen.
Lord God, as we light the candles on this wreath, please bless us. Let the wreath and its light remind us that Christ promised to save us. May he come soon and not take too long. We ask this through the Lord Jesus Christ.
Lord God, remind us always that you are with us in everything we do. Fill our hearts with joy so that we can serve othersevery day and praise you while we do it. Help us see the truth through your grace, so that peace can rule in our hearts. We ask this through the Lord Jesus Christ. Advent is the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas. It begins the Sunday closest to November 30 and ends the Sunday before December 25. "Coming" is what the word "advent" means. It is a time of getting ready for the celebration of Jesus' birth.
As Christmas approaches, the Advent tradition at home reminds us of the light that Christ brings and gives us courage to show that light to the world. We can keep our minds on Christ with an Advent at home by reading a Bible passage or saying an Advent prayer every day.